Engine Oil Pressure: Testing and Inspection

Low or No Oil Pressure
The following can cause low or no oil pressure:
- Low oil level-fill to the full mark on the oil level indicator.
- Slow idle speed
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure switch-replace the oil pressure switch.
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure gauge-replace the oil pressure gauge.
- Improper oil viscosity or diluted oil
- Install oil of proper viscosity for expected temperature.
- Install new oil if it is diluted.
- The oil pump is worn or dirty-clean or replace the oil pump.
- The oil filter is plugged-replace the oil filter.
- The oil pickup screen is loose or plugged
- replace the oil pickup screen.
- A hole in the oil pickup tube-replace the oil pickup tube.
- Excessive bearing clearance-replace the bearings.
- Cracked, porous, or plugged oil galleries-repair or replace the engine block.
- The gallery plugs are missing or improperly installed-install or repair as necessary.
- The pressure regulator valve is stuck.
- Check the pressure regulator valve for sticking in the bore.
- Check the bore for scoring and burrs.
- The camshaft is worn or poorly machined-replace the camshaft.
- Worn valve guides-repair as needed.